Shelly Garner Pineda is the new clinic director for the four Simpson General Hospital Clinics in Simpson County, an achievement of which she is very proud, she says.
Pineda, 36, is mom to seven kids ranging from 11 to young adult and one grandchild, all living with her. She graduated from Independence University with high honors, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business in 2020. Pineda says she prayed, asking God for a job where she needed to be and that He open the door. She had been working one fulltime job and several side jobs but wanted something more permanent.
Simpson General posted a job for an admissions clerk and Pineda interviewed. She received a job offer within only a few hours and she accepted. Her response was “Thank You God! I know this is where I’m supposed to be.” After only one day of training, Pineda was working on her own.
Just over a year later she was approached by SGH Business Office to take on the position of collections clerk. Upper management had watched and seen her work ethic. Pineda accepted the promotion.
Within seven to eight months Pineda moved into the position of billing specialist in the Business Office, while maintaining her position as collections clerk.
“Sometimes it was overwhelming,”she said. “I’m not going to lie – but I am a go-getter. I know what I need to do; I stay focused on that. Not a lot of things can pull me off of that because I multitask really well.”
Another few months later the position of human resources assistant opened. Pineda pursued this promotion herself, making application for the job. As her history goes, it was offered; she accepted.
Another six months later, the clinic director position opened; Pineda was urged to apply for it. For the first time she was hesitant to apply so she again prayed saying, “God if this is a door that’s opening for me and I need to go through it, send me through it. I prayed a lot about it.” This position would carry a great deal more responsibility including supervising staff and overseeing. She was not sure she was ready for that.
“I allowed more of my fear to interfere with me applying than I did anything.” Pineda opted to turn the decision completely over to the Lord. He answered clearly when her supervisor, Shannon Boyt, suggested Pineda apply for the job. During the conversation Boyt listened as Pineda listed one reason after another not to apply; Boyt simply told her, “I really think you can do this.” Pineda wondered if this was her sign from God.
Before making the final decision to apply she discussed with SGH Administrative Director Zip Windham whether she would even be in the running for the position. His reply was “yes”. Pineda was the first of several applicants and interviews.
She has now had the position for three months and oversees “20 amazing employees.” she says, plus PRN that fluctuates between SGH Clinic, SGH Drive-thru, Harrisville and Puckett.
Pineda believes that God has orchestrated her path and journey with Simpson General. Her attitude is always positive, always speaking life. “Every day I wake up, I thank God, asking Him to guide me with His light that I can be light for other people. Everything in life is going to be a lesson or a blessing and it’s our choice to choose what it is.
“There are lots of lessons I have learned in life, but there are so many blessings I have had in my life. I am here now – never even imagined when I applied for that first job I would be where I am today. I work with a lot of great people. I can honestly say that.”
